No massage by opposite sex

From Thursday onwards, it will be a strict no no for women to massage men and vice-versa because the City Police have discovered at long last that parlours are offering more than just a massage.

“Massage centres should not employ women to deal with male customers. And, though we did not come across men offering the same services to women..even that is banned,” announced AK Khan, Commissioner of Police, here on Tuesday. The ban is applicable to all massage parlours, including those in star hotels, under the city limits.

Explaining the reasons for imposing the ban, Khan said, “in the past few days, we arrested 19 organisers of massage centres and 31 female workers who were found to be indulging in indecent, obscene and illegal activities.”According to him, this flesh trade is thriving in the upmarket Banjara Hills, Jubilee Hills, Srinagar Colony and other localities in North and Central Zone limits. The ban, however, is not applicable to massage by same sex masseurs.

The police also found that some of the massage centres do not have the mandatory trade licences and informed the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) of the same for necessary action. Khan also suggested that women currently engaged in “indecent” activities at parlours be given salaries and relieved of their “duties” before the July 1 deadline.Asked about genuine ayurvedic massage centres, particularly from Kerala, the top cop replied that they would look into the issue if the managements of such centres come up with a request.

Those who violate the ban would be booked under Section 68, 70 and 74 of the Hyderabad City Police Act (read with Section 144 of CrPC and also Section 3 of the Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act.) Taking the drive against flesh trade to a new level, the police also put house owners on notice saying they should verify credentials of tenants before letting out their premises. Further, Khan said they would soon submit a report to the court on indecent activities at 14 bars, where singing and dancing is allowed.